Summer DIY Maintenance Tips for Your Marine Engine

The performance and longevity of your marine engines can be subject to the detrimental effects of overheating. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates the rate of wear and tear of critical engine components. Taking care of your marine engine, especially during summer is thus mandatory if you want to optimise its lifespan and performance. 

The threat of your engine overheating is always present during these summer months. This affects its performance and longevity. If the right steps are not taken, you will most certainly notice the power output, mechanical integrity and the overall reliability of your engine going down. Whatever marine vessel/s you own, be it cruise ships, yachts, passenger ferries, floating hotels or resorts, your business will suffer.

This is why if you own a commercial fleet, you must always focus on specifically formulating your engines to cope and withstand harsh weather conditions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates the rate of wear and tear of critical engine components. Vital parts such as pistons, cylinders and bearings go through increased mechanical stress, which in turn, reduces their performance as well as lifespan, thus ultimately causing financial strain to businesses and boat owners. To avoid this, this article aims to educate you with easy but critical tips and tricks that you can implement yourself to keep your engines in the best condition.

What Are The Steps You Can Take?

You can actually do a lot to keep your engines in the best shape. Here are the steps  that you need to take:

1. Regularly Check and Change The Oil
2. Frequent Inspection of the Cooling System
3. Replacing The Fuel Filter
4. Cleaning The Propeller
5. Battery Testing
6. Compression Test
7. Inspection of Belts and Hoses

Now, let’s see in detail why each of these steps needs to be taken.

1. Regularly Check and Change The Oil:

Fresh oil enhances lubrication and reduces wear and tear. This is a major reliability boost and something that you must perform to ensure both the longevity and long-lasting performance of your engine.

2. Frequent Inspection of the Cooling System:

This is the most important system of your engine during the summer months. In most cases, engines malfunction in extreme heat because the cooling system fails to optimise its functioning. Thus checking the cooling system is of paramount importance. If you find out any component to be worn out or tattered, then they have to be replaced mandatorily to avoid overheating. 

3. Replacing The Fuel Filter:

Cleaning fuel is mandatory to optimise the efficiency of your engine operations. Fuel filters due to extreme usage might become clogged with contaminants. This stops clean fuel from reaching your engine.

4. Cleaning The Propeller:

Dents, cracks or signs of corrosion are common in propellers in the summer months due to high temperatures. If your propeller is damaged, this not only reduces fuel efficiency but also increases vibrations and wear and tear on your marine engine. Thus cleaning the propeller to remove accumulated contaminants is essential to ensure efficiency and durability in marine applications.

5. Battery Testing:

Without ensuring the reliability of your battery, you cannot have peace of mind on the water. Testing the battery voltage and inspecting the battery for signs of corrosion and loose connections will increase the longevity and battery performance of your marine engines. 

6. Compression Test:

A compression test assesses the overall health of your marine engine. With the aid of a compression gauge, you can measure the compression pressure in each cylinder and find out if there are any worn-out pistons, rings, valves or cylinder walls. This will ensure consistent compression and performance.

7. Inspection of Belts and Hoses:

Belts and hoses drive alternators, water pumps and cooling systems and withstand external marine environment forces to ensure reliable performance on the water. Thus, consistent checks on these crucial parts prevent cracking, fraying and glazing and keep them ready for high performance even when the weather is harsh.

Read Also: Expanding Marine Engine Life With Regular Servicing

 

How Can Weichai Engine Reduce Your Maintenance Cost & Effort?

The world’s largest manufacturer of diesel and gas marine commercial engines, Weichai BS-VI marine commercial engines excel even in the most excruciating conditions, delivering the best durability, reliability and performance.  Known for their build design and resistance to daily wear and tear, these new-generation engines require almost zero maintenance in the long run.

Providing effective heat dissipation, higher rotations per minute (RPM), intelligent temperature management, advanced cooling systems and a diverse power range of 54 -1650 HP, Weichai diesel engines will keep you cruising at ease all summer long. This superior guidance combined with our support network assures you thorough guidance and customer support whenever you need it, thereby totally minimising your long-run maintenance cost. 

Final Takeaways

During summer, learning maintenance skills is an essential part of having enjoyable experiences on the water without worrying about sudden safety hazards. Regular inspections and cleanings in these few months are a great opportunity for you to know your vessel intimately and feel that you have played a big role in enhancing the performance and longevity of your marine engine. This season is thus a chance for you to contribute towards a safer, more sustainable marine automotive ecosystem and above all, make your own sailing better.